🇰🇷 South Korea · Food

Korean Braised Pork Belly

50 min
A great way to spend your free time
🔥 420 kcal
Hearty helping
🍽 4 servings
Great for the family

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Korean Braised Pork Belly🇰🇷 KR

Tender, melt-in-the-mouth pork belly braised in a savory, aromatic soy glaze. This dish is rich and deeply flavorful, perfect when served with steamed white rice.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Cut the pork belly into 3cm thick cubes and blanch them in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove impurities, then rinse clean.

  • 2

    In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger slices, garlic cloves, and star anise with 300ml of water.

  • 3

    Add the blanched pork cubes to the liquid, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the braising sauce.

  • 4

    Bring the pot to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover tightly to simmer for 35 minutes.

  • 5

    Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high to reduce the sauce until it becomes a thick, shiny glaze coating the meat.

  • 6

    Stir frequently during the last 5 minutes to prevent burning, ensuring the pork develops an even caramel color.

  • 7

    Turn off the heat and garnish with chopped scallions before serving warm to maintain the soft texture of the fat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pork shoulder instead?+

You can, but the fat content in pork belly provides the iconic melt-in-the-mouth texture that defines this dish.

How do I know the pork is done?+

The pork is done when a fork pierces the meat effortlessly and the fat layers have become translucent and soft.

Can I make it less salty?+

Adjust the ratio of water to soy sauce if you prefer a lighter taste, but do not skip the sugar as it balances the salt.

Can this be kept for later?+

Yes, it stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded.

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